IPL 2021: Rating All 8 Teams On The Basis Of Their Wicket Keepers

Wicket Keepers play a big part in any format of the game and IPL is a great platform where the wicketkeepers can establish their potential with the bat as well. Australian legend Adam Gilchrist was one such wicketkeeper who had a great career in the IPL with his batting, wicket keeping as well as captaining the side.

In the current generation, wicket keepers are rated mostly based on their batting performances, and especially in IPL, the franchises are happy to field with part-time keepers. Wicket keepers have the best views of the field surrounded and they remain the main motivation for the bowlers.

IPL 2021: Rating All 8 Teams On The Basis Of Their Wicket Keepers:

8. Royal Challengers Bangalore – 7/10

Royal Challengers Bangalore has the balance of the side affected due to their lack of quality Indian wicket Keepers in the side. They had the likes of Parthiv Patel in the previous edition but if he plays, he can bat in the top order only which won’t suit the team combination. AB Devilliers can keep wickets, but with his excellent fielding skills, it will be tough to constrain him to the keeping role.

Josh Phillipe is one of the best upcoming batsmen from the Australian team and he is an option for the RCB as he can open as well as keep wickets. He is in good form in the Big Bash League 2021 while the Indian wicket-keeper backups will be inexperienced Srikar Bharat and Mohammad Azharuddeen for the IPL 2021.

7. Sunrisers Hyderabad – 7/10

Sunrisers Hyderabad would be hoping that Wriddhiman Saha puts up a good performance with the bat in the top order which will allow the team combination to go for another overseas all-rounder to strengthen the middle order. Jonny Bairstow has been the number one choice until last year but despite his good performances is most unlikely to start.

The backup options will be Bengal’s Shreevats Goswami who is a decent batsman in the top order. Sunrisers lack the quality in the wicket-keeping department and need to go for better options in the mega auction 2021.

6.Punjab Kings – 7.5/10

Punjab Kings have two good options in their playing XI for the wicketkeeper slots with KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran but both of them are mainly known for their batting. KL Rahul has been the first choice wicketkeeper for them while Nicholas Pooran has kept on some rare occasions.

Both can contribute a lot with the bat which is a major advantage for the franchise and the only backup option for the wicketkeeper slot in the dugout is PrabhSimran Singh. The technical keeping aspect has been on the minority side which will be a problem for them going forward in the tournament.

5. Kolkata Knight Riders – 8/10

Kolkata Knight Riders have relieved their wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik of his captaincy duties which could be a major boost for his form. Dinesh Karthik is one of the best keepers from India as he has a brilliant technique as well as is quite effective with the bat.?? The other Indian keeper in the side is domestic veteran Sheldon Jackson.

The overseas keeper in the squad is New Zealand’s Tim Seifert who is a dashing opener and can keep well behind the stumps. Dinesh Karthik’s form with the bat is going to be crucial to the plans of Kolkata Knight Riders and it has been the case since he has come into the team

4. Rajasthan Royals – 8.5/10

Rajasthan Royals will be lucky to have two excellent keepers in the playing XI with sensational Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler who are both match-winners with the bat. Jos Buttler is an excellent T20 batsman and has a good technique too. He can bat anywhere in the order and take the game away from the opponents in a flash

Sanju Samson with his new captaincy role will probably not keep wickets with Buttler in the playing XI and he can do a good job as well. The backup keeper in the side will be Anuj Rawat who has a good domestic record for Delhi.

3. Delhi Capitals – 8.5/10

He has vastly improved his keeping technique and it was evident in the England test series in turning wickets. The overseas keeper in the side will be Sam Billings who is also a good T20 Batsman. The Indian backup keeper Vishnu Vinod from Kerala also has been in good form for Kerala. He could come in handy following any injury within the side.

2. Mumbai Indians – 9/10

Mumbai Indians have one of the best keepers going around in the world right now with Quinton De Kock who can be sublime with the bat too at the top of the order. De Kock has performed brilliantly for the Mumbai Indians so far and they also have the likes of Ishan Kishan in the playing XI too who can keep wickets.

Ishan Kishan finished as the highest scorer for Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2020 and earned his maiden call up for the Indian team recently. The backup keeper in the side will be local boy Adithya Tare who has had a hefty experience in the domestic circuit and can do the job for the IPL 2021.

1. Chennai Super Kings – 9.5/10

Chennai Super Kings looks the most strongest in the wicket-keeping department as they have got the legendary MS Dhoni as the wicketkeeper. The former Indian keeper could do no wrong with the bat and is lightning behind the stumps. He is one of the best wicket-keepers of all time in the history of the game.

Dhoni is one of the best masterminds of the game and they have got good domestic backups in N Jagadeesan from Tamil Nadu. Ambati Rayudu and Robin Uthappa have kept wickets in the past and could do the job if needed for the IPL 2021.